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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

His Walk by S Nakada

The white lillies yield to the wind and hang their heads, acknowledging the passing of a hero. They seem to want to scatter as strong gusts overwhelm the wreath, and as it finally takes off only to land some footfalls away, the sweet scent envelopes me. Farewell, my senses hear. Joy be unto you. I begin to hear the first chords of a forgotten melody, the lyrics beckoning me to a life not unknown.

My father once told me to think of life as a bridge that we all must cross, that even if the crossing is painful and long, the banks of the river on the far side gets closer with each step. He told me to look back once in a whiile, to see the progress I have made. I remember that night as we sat on the roof and he told me never to forget my past and the roots from which I came. I listened quietly until he made me promise.

"Do you understand, Margarid? Our people have been persecuted since the dawn of Christianity because we were the first to accept what others would not. Your grandparents were murdered for belonging to the motherland. Promise me, promise me you'll never forget who you are." He sang me a song afterwards. He was an excelled singer, his tongue expertly rolling the words in his mouth, taking me to that strange land in the East. I have not set foot on my father's beloved country to this day, yet I feel as if I belong to its intricate story.

He was one of the lucky ones. I think it was partly his stubbornness that kept him alive. After all, he was only a teenager who wanted to see the world and live. He wanted to be a musician and travel the globe with his friend. He wanted to know what being rich felt like, wanted the experience of spending money on useless objects just because he could. He wanted to see tigers in India and the bull fights in Spain. He wanted to learn to swim. But I think it was mostly the will to see his father again that kept him walking. The possibility of seeing those wise eyes woke him each morning and allowed his legs to move forwards, although it seemed to him as though he was floating above the sand rather than dragging his feet. By the time he reached Aleppo his mother's body had long been left behind, as so many others' had. His sister Anahit - to whom, according to my father, I am identical - died three weeks after their arrival. And afterwards, when he did not find his father's name on the list of survivors of those who were deported to Turkey, he was forced to learn the fact that his life had been changed drastically and that nothing would ever be the same. He grew harsh and cold living with his aunt during his last years in Armenia.

He stepped on a boat on a cold, foggy morning of 1920 after a breakfast of porridge and stale bread. He and his cousin Hagop both kissed his aunt goodbye and left Armenia behind without a backward glance.

I watch as one of the lillies frees itself from the tangle of leaves and stems. As I bend to pick it up, somebody gently rests their hand on my back. It is my mother, a pale woman by nature, but all the more paler today. Not a single teardrop has escaped her eyes, she shed all of hers a week ago. She is responsible for breaking my father's cemented shell, for teaching him to be what he forgot to be. I stand here now, facing her, and see her pain-filled eyes, but also a sense of serenity and acceptance. I give her the lily and she holds it with both hands.

I look back before closing the gate behind me. I see the shiny granite, smooth and cold. In my mind I read its inscription: Aram Dorian 1900-1978 Loving husband and father. And underneath in tiny letters, Enjoy the walk. Standing beside his words, I glimpse my father waiting for me on the other side of the bridge.

Grade 11 Book Review of the Month

"To Kill A Mockingbird" by H Lee

Jem and Scout live with their widowed father, Atticus, in the small, predominantly white town of Maycomb.

One summer the children meet a little boy named Dill and play on the dangerous property of Boo Radley. They are shot at but constantly find themselves saved by the mysterious Boo who inhabits the house.

At the same time Atticus, who is a lawyer, takes the case of a black man accused of raping a young white woman. As the case unfolds the family is discriminated against and the although the man is proven innocent, he is jailed and the woman's shamed father vows revenge.

The story is interesting and the themes compelling. A mature read.
-I KASSELMAN

Book Review

Water for Elephants

Grade 10 Book Review of the week

"Water for Elephants" by S Gruen

Jacob's parents die and he jumps a train to join the circus a week before he graduates. Becoming the circus vet, Jacob spends time with the animals and people of the traveling show.

He falls in love with the animal trainer's wife, with tragic results.

Written as a memoir the novel is slightly predictable but very beautiful.

Now a major motion picture.

-Y AMIN

Book Review

Chasing Redbird

Just another great novel for Grade 10

"Chasing Redbird" by S Creech

Set in the outskirts of Bybanks and stretching along Chocton, Zinny uncovers an overgrown pathway at the back of her house and a map indicating a trail from Bybanks to Chocton.

Zinny finds answers to her problems on the trail. She feels guilty about the death of her cousin, Rose, who caught whooping cough from Zinny when they were both four. When Zinny's aunt, Jessie, dies she feels as if she is losing herself.

She struggles to bloom in the midst of three noisy brothers and three confident overbearing sisters who constantly compete for attention.

Along with all of this, Jake Boone is back in town.

A captivating and intriguing read.

-N SMITH

Book Review

The Alchemist

Grade 9 Book Review of the Week

"The Alchemist" by P Coelho

Set in Andalusia and the North African desert, Santiago -a treasure-hunter- and an alchemist, crystal merchant, Englishman and camel driver's paths cross.

Santiago is a shepherd with a recurring dream: he goes to a gypsy who tells him to go to the pyramids where he will find his dreamed of treasure.

As Santiago follows his dream he learns from the alchemist about the Soul of the World, how to listen to his heart and how to speak with the winds and the sun.

The novel is life-changing and gripping.
-J NICOL

Book Review

Stealing Heaven

Just another great novel from the Grade 9s

"Stealing Heaven" by E Scott

Danielle and her mom travel around the country breaking into houses and then fleeing to safety. At the moment their story starts they are living in a pretty holiday town called Heaven.

Danielle is 18 years old, very cautious and struggling to trust those around her. Her 30-something mum is very beautiful but cold-hearted.

The pair move to Heaven where they meet Allison and Greg -but plan to break in to Allison's house. But Danielle is unhappy with her life as a thief, moving around, never having anything that she can count on or call her own. Until she falls in love with Greg.

A beautifully written love story with surprising twists in the plot.
-L PEROLD

Book Review

Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero

Grade 8 Book Review of the week

"Heroes of Olympus" by Rock Riordon

This book is set in Camp Half-Blood in Long Island, New York in the Underworld where Hades rules.

Jason, Son of Zeus, finds himself in Camp Half-Blood with no memory of how he got there. he is sent on a quest with three heroes: Jason, Leo and Piper who are seeking help from the gods of the four winds.

In the mean time, the mother of all Titans, Gaia, is awakening and with her all the dreaded, most vicious monsters. She wants to control the world once more and destroy the gods and demi-gods.

The series is entirely captivating and every book is difficult to put down.
-S VD HEEVER

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